Cell Phone Savvy: Making Smart Wireless Choices

Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Cell Phone Savvy: Making Smart Wireless Choices Lesson Purpose: To provide students with an understanding of their wireless service options, how to make wise wireless choices, how to avoid unexpected or unaffordable charges and how to protect their privacy and personal data. Lesson Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students will understand: • what to consider when choosing a cell phone; • how to choose the best carrier and plan for their needs; • their rights and responsibilities under their wireless service contract; • what tools are available to help them avoid a service overage or roaming charges; • what steps to take to protect their privacy and avoid fraud or theft; and • where to go to find more information on wireless service or to file a complaint. Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Test Your Knowledge About Cell Phones and Wireless Service 1. Your wireless service contract will grant you a trial period of at least 45 days, during which you can cancel service without an early termination fee. ❏ True ❏ False 2. All wireless devices can be used internationally, in any country. ❏ True ❏ False 3. Extended warranties and phone insurance policies never come with fees, exclusions, deductibles or other limitations. ❏ True ❏ False 4. Anyone who purchases wireless service is subject to a credit check. ❏ True ❏ False 5. The per-unit rates are typically higher on contract service plans than on prepaid ‘pay-asyou-go’ plans. ❏ True ❏ False 6. Your wireless carrier cannot significantly modify your service plan during your contract period. ❏ True ❏ False 7. Incoming calls and text messages are free and do not count against your service allowance. ❏ True ❏ False 8. The price that is quoted to you when shopping for wireless service is most likely the ‘bottom line’ that you will see on your bill. ❏ True ❏ False 9. All prepaid service comes with an expiration date. ❏ True ❏ False 10. ‘Porting’ refers to using your wireless device while on a cruise ship or in a harbor. ❏ True ❏ False 11. ‘Bill shock’ describes what happens when you receive someone else’s wireless service bill in your mailbox. ❏ True ❏ False 12. One way to monitor your service usage is by dialing a code on your handset to receive a text message or listen to a recording with usage data. ❏ True ❏ False 13. There is no way that parents can control what their children do or purchase on their wireless phones. ❏ True ❏ False 14. Texting is the most expensive component of wireless service for smartphones. ❏ True ❏ False 15. Apps use data only when you download them or are actively using them. ❏ True ❏ False 16. Wi-Fi is always free and always secure. ❏ True ❏ False 17. Paying roaming charges is the least expensive option for making calls to the U.S. when you are traveling abroad. ❏ True ❏ False 18. There are tools and software that allow you to lock your phone or erase the data remotely. ❏ True ❏ False 19. If your cell phone is lost or stolen, you are not responsible for unauthorized calls as long as you report the missing device within 30 days of receiving your billing statement. ❏ True ❏ False 20. It’s safe to donate, sell or dispose of your old cell phone as long as you first delete your contacts and other files. ❏ True ❏ False Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Answer Key for the Test Your Knowledge About Cell Phones and Wireless Service Quiz 1. Your wireless service contract will grant you a trial period of at least 45 days, during which you can cancel service without an early termination fee. FALSE: It’s unlikely you would be given as much as 45 days to change your mind. Your wireless service contract will grant you a trial period of at least two weeks and maybe as long as four weeks. If you’re dissatisfied with your service, cancel within that time to avoid a penalty. (You will be responsible for any service used before you cancel.) 2. All wireless devices can be used internationally, in any country. FALSE: There are two main types of network technologies—GSM and CDMA. A CDMA phone will not work on a GSM network, and vice versa. If you plan to use your phone abroad, consider a model that uses GSM (global system for mobile communications) technology, which is used in more countries. 3. Extended warranties and phone insurance policies never come with fees, exclusions, deductibles or other limitations. FALSE: Warranties and insurance policies always come with fees, exclusions, deductibles, and other limitations. Make sure you understand the terms and requirements of the warranty or insurance policy before you buy so you are not surprised by anything if you have to make a claim. 4. Anyone who purchases wireless service is subject to a credit check. FALSE: Prepaid wireless service does not require a contract or a credit check 5. The per-unit rates are typically higher on contract service plans than on pay-as-you-go plans. FALSE: The rates are typically lower on contract (postpaid) wireless service plans, but you are committed to purchasing service from that carrier for at least a year or two. 6. Your wireless carrier cannot significantly modify your service plan during your contract period. FALSE: The carrier can modify your service plan at any time, but if it makes significant modifications, it must provide you at least 14 days notice and give you the right to cancel your contract with no early termination fee. 7. Incoming calls and text messages are free and do not count against your service allowance. FALSE: All outgoing and incoming calls and text messages that aren’t ‘free’ (for example, calls on some plans are free on weekends or during the evening) count against your service allowance. 8. The price that is quoted to you when shopping for wireless service is most likely the ‘bottom line’ that you will see on your bill. FALSE: The advertised price usually does not include things like taxes, surcharges, daily access fees and other add-ons 9. All prepaid service comes with an expiration date. TRUE: All prepaid service comes with an expiration date. If you allow your prepaid plan to expire, you may have to pay a reactivation fee. Or, the carrier could close the account, which means you would lose the phone number 10. ‘Porting’ refers to using your wireless device while on a cruise ship or in a harbor. FALSE: ‘Porting’ refers to keeping your current phone number when you switch to a new service provider Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

11. ‘Bill shock’ describes what happens when you receive someone else’s wireless service bill in your mailbox. FALSE: ‘Bill shock’ describes what happens when you find out you have exceeded your monthly wireless plan service limits and must pay a much higher bill 12. One way to monitor your service usage is by dialing a code on your handset to receive a text message or listen to a recording with usage data. TRUE: There are a variety of ways to monitor your service usage and avoid an overage. All major carriers make it possible for their customers to check their usage at any time on the company’s website. 13. There is no way that parents can control what their children do or purchase on their wireless phones. FALSE: All major carriers offer parental controls, which typically allow parents to set limits on children’s usage (including downloads of games, ringtones, graphics and applications 14. Texting is the most expensive component of wireless service for smartphones. FALSE: Data is the most expensive component of wireless service for smartphones; a large overage can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars 15. Apps use data only when you download them or are actively using them. FALSE: Apps use data not only when you download them or are actively using them, but also when they automatically connect to the Internet to get updates and retrieve information (such as weather reports and stock market results 16. Wi-Fi is always free and always secure. FALSE: In some cases Wi-Fi may be free (such as at your home or office), while in other places you may have to pay an access fee 17. Paying roaming charges is the least expensive option for making calls to the U.S. when you are traveling abroad. FALSE: Service charges can be high when roaming—using your phone outside your service provider’s coverage area 18. There are tools and software that allow you to lock your phone or erase the data remotely. TRUE: The best way to prevent someone from accessing your phone data or using your phone without your permission is to lock it when you’re not using it, and set it to lock automatically after a period of inactivity. 19. If your cell phone is lost or stolen, you are not responsible for unauthorized calls as long as you report the missing device within 30 days of receiving your billing statement. FALSE: You are responsible for all of the charges that are made until you report your phone missing, 20. It’s safe to donate, sell or dispose of your old cell phone as long as you first delete your contacts and other files. FALSE: You must erase the phone’s hard drive before you get rid of it or whoever ends up with it could access your data. Erasing the hard drive entails more than just deleting files. Check your manual for Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Screen 1: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What is an early termination fee (ETF). Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 2: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What is number portability. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 3: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What is roaming. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 4: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What makes a smartphone ‘smart’?. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 5: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: Should you always buy the most sophisticated phone available?. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Screen 6: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What was the most important consideration when you chose the phone you have now? Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 7: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What is a service contract? Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide Do you have one? What is in yours? Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 8: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What is an extended warranty and phone insurance? . Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide. Do you have it? Why or why not? Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 9: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What are the differences between prepaid and contract (postpaid) wireless service?. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide Which do you have? Why? Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 10: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: bill shock’. Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Define the title slide and give an example Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it Cell Phone Project: Mr. Veronsky, Grade 8, Computer Applications

Screen 11: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What sorts of information is stored on your cell phone that you wouldn’t want a stranger to have access to? Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Answer the question in the title slide, also answer How do you think someone could use your cell phone data to harm you? Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Screen 12: Click on the Text Box that is labeled "Title Slide." Type: What are some ways to protect your phone and your data? Change the Color, Font and Size Click on the Text Box that says "Click to add subtitle." Answer the question, also answer Do you already take these precautions? Why not? Choose a background. Choose Picture from the internet and insert it

Criteria Excellent (33) Good (22) Adequate (11) Needs Improvement (1)

Content All twelve slides Nine to eleven Six to eight Less than six are completed. slides are slides are slides are completed completed. completed

Proper use of The project is The project is The project is The project is different fonts, exceptionally missing one of missing two of missing three or sizes, color and attractive and the criteria. the criteria. more of the pictures well organized. criteria.

Transitions and Each slide has One or two sides Three or four or Transitions and animation transitions, are missing two sides are animations are pictures have transitions or missing missing animation animation transitions or animation